forester sti info
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking for any owner opinions on the forester sti, i'm thinking about purchasing something around the 2006 mark and hopefully with some litchfield magic sprinkled on top. I have read plenty of reviews but would be good to hear something from a current owner on what they are like to live with as a daily drive, build quality, mpg and all that kind of stuff, and generally if their is anything to consider when making a purchase.
Cheers.
N
I'm looking for any owner opinions on the forester sti, i'm thinking about purchasing something around the 2006 mark and hopefully with some litchfield magic sprinkled on top. I have read plenty of reviews but would be good to hear something from a current owner on what they are like to live with as a daily drive, build quality, mpg and all that kind of stuff, and generally if their is anything to consider when making a purchase.
Cheers.
N
warnster said:
Hi,
I'm looking for any owner opinions on the forester sti, i'm thinking about purchasing something around the 2006 mark and hopefully with some litchfield magic sprinkled on top. I have read plenty of reviews but would be good to hear something from a current owner on what they are like to live with as a daily drive, build quality, mpg and all that kind of stuff, and generally if their is anything to consider when making a purchase.
Cheers.
N
You need the european section of www.subaruforester.orgI'm looking for any owner opinions on the forester sti, i'm thinking about purchasing something around the 2006 mark and hopefully with some litchfield magic sprinkled on top. I have read plenty of reviews but would be good to hear something from a current owner on what they are like to live with as a daily drive, build quality, mpg and all that kind of stuff, and generally if their is anything to consider when making a purchase.
Cheers.
N
Plenty of UK owners on their, both modified and unmodified - through Litcho and other importers.
Hi
I purchased a 2007 Forester STI about 15 months ago, so far I have had no issues using it as a daily driver. When I got mine it had a standard map, due to numerous recommendation (scoobynet etc) I got it mapped for 98RON UK fuel. This made a massive difference. However, I did get it mapped by a very respected tuner at a not inconsiderable cost. Im not sure if the Litchfield map is a custom one or not!
I was prepared to fit an uprated exhaust at the same time, but I was informed that the standard one is fine up to the safe point for the engine.
Anyhow, using it daily in city traffic the economy is not great - like 20-24 mpg. However, the Forester has a very good gearbox with a long 6th gear and on the motorway it returns well over 30 if you take it easy - I have used mine for a trip to Europe and it ate the miles really well and returned about 30-35 over the trip.
Build quality is excellent. Everything works perfectly and it really feels bombproof. Although the 2.5 engines have had issues - reports of weak pistons etc, I think the mapping along with (strictly) using only 98RON fuel massively helps reliability wise. The interior is not up to Audi standards in terms of look but the fit and finish is really good.
Performance is excellent with the map. The car pulls very strongly in a way that makes for effortless progress. The FSTI is not a car that you need to thrash to get the most out of it. Handling is OK for a performance car and excellent for a tall(ish) 4X4. Handling is typically subaru! not massively direct and prone to understeer. However, I find it actually suits the car and I haven't found it a problem.
So overall I would say its a very good car and in terms of a buying experience its been very positive. Im only keeping mine for another month but if I didn't need another type of transport I would be keeping it, for sure.
Cheers
Steve
I purchased a 2007 Forester STI about 15 months ago, so far I have had no issues using it as a daily driver. When I got mine it had a standard map, due to numerous recommendation (scoobynet etc) I got it mapped for 98RON UK fuel. This made a massive difference. However, I did get it mapped by a very respected tuner at a not inconsiderable cost. Im not sure if the Litchfield map is a custom one or not!
I was prepared to fit an uprated exhaust at the same time, but I was informed that the standard one is fine up to the safe point for the engine.
Anyhow, using it daily in city traffic the economy is not great - like 20-24 mpg. However, the Forester has a very good gearbox with a long 6th gear and on the motorway it returns well over 30 if you take it easy - I have used mine for a trip to Europe and it ate the miles really well and returned about 30-35 over the trip.
Build quality is excellent. Everything works perfectly and it really feels bombproof. Although the 2.5 engines have had issues - reports of weak pistons etc, I think the mapping along with (strictly) using only 98RON fuel massively helps reliability wise. The interior is not up to Audi standards in terms of look but the fit and finish is really good.
Performance is excellent with the map. The car pulls very strongly in a way that makes for effortless progress. The FSTI is not a car that you need to thrash to get the most out of it. Handling is OK for a performance car and excellent for a tall(ish) 4X4. Handling is typically subaru! not massively direct and prone to understeer. However, I find it actually suits the car and I haven't found it a problem.
So overall I would say its a very good car and in terms of a buying experience its been very positive. Im only keeping mine for another month but if I didn't need another type of transport I would be keeping it, for sure.
Cheers
Steve
Wouldn't get too hung up on a Lichfield one, as from what I can see they sprinkle no more magic than anyone else. They usually plop a generic map (albeit conservative) on the ones they sell, so it can easily be bettered in most ways by a bespoke mapper.
MPG on mine has averaged 26.5 over 3.5 years. No engine issues over the 50,000 miles I have done in it at 360 bhp. Very torquey motors due to VF41 turbo (FSTi specific) - mine mapped to 398 ftlbs on basic mods.
Easiliy tunable and will take most Impreza mods without bodging. Lots of parts available and can be serviced through main dealers (like mine) if required.
Will benefit from lowered suspension & stiffening, as well as an uprated stereo as standard speakers/HU are pretty crap - no change there then... THANKS SUBARU.
The only slight issue can come if you need large replacement items if needed as they will most likely need to be shipped from Japan, so can take a while to arrive.
There used to be an issue with windscreen glass availability too, but that seems to have been overcome now.
Tyre size is 18/45/225, although Lichfields always come with 18/40/225 for some reason, probably cos they are cheaper (tight wads). Either are fine and clear the Gold Brembos no probs. Standard alloys are 100x5 PCD, et48, and can be prone to degradation over time, and like-for-like replacements are like gold-dust, but there are tons of other non-Subaru alloys that will fit eg Inovit / Team Dynamics etc.
Any further info required give me a shout on SF.org (Europe section) or Surreyscoobies matey.
Rich
MPG on mine has averaged 26.5 over 3.5 years. No engine issues over the 50,000 miles I have done in it at 360 bhp. Very torquey motors due to VF41 turbo (FSTi specific) - mine mapped to 398 ftlbs on basic mods.
Easiliy tunable and will take most Impreza mods without bodging. Lots of parts available and can be serviced through main dealers (like mine) if required.
Will benefit from lowered suspension & stiffening, as well as an uprated stereo as standard speakers/HU are pretty crap - no change there then... THANKS SUBARU.
The only slight issue can come if you need large replacement items if needed as they will most likely need to be shipped from Japan, so can take a while to arrive.
There used to be an issue with windscreen glass availability too, but that seems to have been overcome now.
Tyre size is 18/45/225, although Lichfields always come with 18/40/225 for some reason, probably cos they are cheaper (tight wads). Either are fine and clear the Gold Brembos no probs. Standard alloys are 100x5 PCD, et48, and can be prone to degradation over time, and like-for-like replacements are like gold-dust, but there are tons of other non-Subaru alloys that will fit eg Inovit / Team Dynamics etc.
Any further info required give me a shout on SF.org (Europe section) or Surreyscoobies matey.
Rich
thanks for your reply, all very useful.
Any thoughts on this?, not a great deal of info but looks pretty tidy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Any thoughts on this?, not a great deal of info but looks pretty tidy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
warnster said:
thanks for your reply, all very useful.
Any thoughts on this?, not a great deal of info but looks pretty tidy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Looks alright. Got mine from Car Planet too.Any thoughts on this?, not a great deal of info but looks pretty tidy.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
If anything, it's a bit low for my taste, but sure that can be sorted if the BCs are adjustable.
NorthDownsScooby said:
Looks alright. Got mine from Car Planet too.
If anything, it's a bit low for my taste, but sure that can be sorted if the BCs are adjustable.
edit:If anything, it's a bit low for my taste, but sure that can be sorted if the BCs are adjustable.
just double checked something as I thought I recognised the plate, and yeah it's Pete's old one from SF.org:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f110/2006-...
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